Grandparents – parenting again
The grandparents support group is aimed at those who are formal carers of their grandchildren. The grandparents are often taking care of their grandchildren who have been subject to traumatic circumstances including abuse, loss and neglect. The grandparents take on this role in difficult circumstances with legal complications, financial difficulty and their own ill health and aging. The group meets on a formal basis each month to provide an opportunity to discuss and learn from each other’s experiences and to hear from professionals about relevant topics that help them in their carers role.
Grandparents are also followed up and supported with a range of practical help including access to free or subsidised counselling.
“There is no doubt that the role of becoming a parent the second time around is very different to the first. Our research has shown, and Grandparents often talk of, the major upheaval to their lives; the isolation, the energy drain and the financial and legal difficulties they face. There is often little preparation for the new role they have taken on with the host of unforseen problems they encounter .”
(www. Raisinggrandparents.com.au)